Francis: I think we will improve

Last updated : 23 December 2002 By PalaceMAD
Speaking after Palace recorded their third successive league victory with a 3-1 win over Rotherham, Francis said: "That was the start of the second half of the season for us.

"Rotherham were the only team we hadn't played, and we have got 36 points from 24 games now.

"We talked at the start of the season about getting into the play-offs, and there are a lot of teams up there.

"Obviously we have got to improve on picking up points because we have been drawing games when we should have been winning them.

"But that was an important win for us. We have got players to come back from injury, so hopefully we can push on. I think we will improve as the season progresses."

"I spent Friday afternoon watching the video of Rotherhams demolition of Burnley, which was rather frightening.

"I didn't tell the players about that but we knew what to expect.

"We knew they would put us under a lot of pressure with balls into the box, and you have to head the ball well to deal with that.

"But the foundations were laid by Hayden Mullins, Kit Symons and Darren Powell. I thought they all did well."